iPhone

by hilzfuld on iPhone, Random, Software, Tech

HTC Touch HD Video Review- The King?

There is a new in-depth video review of the HTC Touch HD circulating the Web this morning. The screen looks absolutely stunning and the OS looks very responsive. However, we know there really is no perfect phone (yet) so I knew there had to be a catch. Fortunately, the catch is not something I cannot handle (that means I can handle it). The 5mp camera has no flash. Not the end of the world, there could be worse things, like no WiFi or GPS. I will never understand cellphone manufacturers and why they do these kinds of things. How hard can it be for HTC to offer a flash? My old Nokia 6288 had a flash!!

In any case, for me, this topic of cellphones might actually become a practical one in the near future. I am now using a CDMA phone (ouch!), and  I was just notified that my cellular carrier will be joining the 21st century by year’s end and switching to GSM. You know what that means? It means that it is time to decide what phone to get.

As of now, I am leaning toward the Omnia (I can’t help it, I am shallow and it is so pretty), but a lot can happen until the end of the year, so let’s wait and see.

-Hillel

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by hilzfuld on iPhone, Mobile, Random, Software, Tech

Mobile Battle

The mobile world has come a really long way in an extremely short period of time. With new innovative handsets being released every day, and features such as 3G, WiFi, and 5 mp cameras becoming standard, the question is, what phone, in the current market, is the real king?

I am going to list a few that really stand out in my head, feel free to vote in the comments:

Apple iPhone 3G: There is no doubt that the iPhone changed the mobile world more than any other single handset. Whether you are a fan of the iPhone or believe it to be mostly hype, you cannot deny the outstanding job Apple has done with its revolutionary interface. Yes, it lacks MMS capabilities and a video camera, but with that amazing screen and unprecedented user experience, does it really matter?

HTC Touch HD: I do not remember the last time I was this excited about a phone. The Touch HD is the only phone out there that might actually have a nicer screen (3.8 inches vs. the iPhone’s 3.5) than the iPhone. It definitely packs in more features with its 5mp camera and full multimedia capabilities, but it is yet to be seen, will the interface really compete with that of the iPhone or will it be another HTC Touch Diamond-like disaster?

Nokia N96: When it was announced, it was huge news, but will its dual slide design and 16GB memory compete with current phones out there? Not feeling it!

Samsung INNOV8: Now this is one sexy phone. I think one of the nicest phones on the market, but will the 8mp camera make it good enough to play with the big boys?

Samsung Omnia: I know I just wrote this about five lines up, but I do not remember the last time I was this excited about a phone.  I recently handled this phone, and I have to say, it is the nicest phone I have ever personally held in my hand. Instead of talking about what the Omnia has, why don’t I just ask, what does it NOT have?

I think that is enough selection for you to make your choice. I purposely left out the new Google phone i.e the HTC Dream or G1, because I do not feel, even with Android, that this phone is in the same league as the others. Its lack of Bluetooth options (no file transfer or stereo Bluetooth), 3.5mm headphones jack, and its older 3G just prevent it from being able to play in the major leagues. Knowing Google, I am sure their G2 will be a different story.

So, which one of the above handsets (or did I leave out a phone that is the real king? E71 perhaps? Maybe some boldness?), is the current king of the mobile world?

-Hillel

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by Aryeh on iPhone, Mobile, Tech

iPhone Home Activation?

The Boy Genius has reported that the home activation of the iPhone will return. But it is far from what it used to be. Apple is just trying to cut the time it takes to sign the paper work. You have to fill out the forms online and they go into the Apple or AT&T store to activate the phone. They are not going to allow any phones out of the store without being activated.

I have a real personal agenda here against Apple and the mobile carriers, being that I believe that all devices should be able to bought unlocked and without a contract. They can mark up the price but sell the phones unlocked.

-Aryeh

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by hilzfuld on iPhone, Mac, Mobile, Random, Tech

Israel Apple Store Does Not Disappoint

As I posted yesterday, the first Apple store launched last night in Ramat Aviv, Israel. Unfortunately, I was unable to make it to the opening, but after checking out their online store, I can safely say that Apple has done it again.

My two concerns about the store were that it would not offer current products, I thought they would have last generation iPods and Macs, and that the prices would be insanely high, like most other imported products in Israel.

Well, it seems I was wrong on both counts. The new store offers the new generation iPods, including the accelerometer Nano and the just announced iPod touch. As for the prices, they could be better, but they are, in my opinion, pretty reasonable.

The new Nano (16GB) that goes for $200 in the U.S, is being sold here for 1000 Shekel. Now, with the current dollar (the dollar fluctuates around 1 dollar=3.5 Shekel), that is a lot, but I think after saving the headache of getting it shipped overseas, and taxes, and most importantly, getting Apple service in Israel, the price really is pretty decent. The new Touch (32GB) is selling for 2,150 Shekel (it is sold for $400 in the U.S), also not so bad.

However, the Macbooks and the iMac are a totally different story.  The top of the line iMac, which sells for $2200 (translated to around 8,000 Shekel) in the U.S, is being sold here for 11,700 Shekel. A little ridiculous if you ask me.

All in all, I will most definitely be buying my next iPod there, and of course, we are all waiting till Apple decides to sell their iPhones in Israel.

-Hillel

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by hilzfuld on iPhone, Mac, Marketing, Mobile, Tech

Apple Store Launching in Israel

Today’s biggest industry news, as far as I am concerned, is the Apple store launch in Ramat Aviv, Israel. According to reports (who am I kidding? There are no reports, I am talking about what was written on the designated Facebook group), the grand opening has been in planning for months, and the new store will offer the Israeli consumer the same experience provided in Apple stores around the world (I wish I knew what that meant first hand, but from what I heard, it is a fun one).

What is left now, is 2 things:

  • To get this store up to date with the most current Apple products (I know it has not opened yet, but I have a hunch that they will offer year-old products there), like the new iPhone for example.
  • Once the store is current, we need to somehow get Apple to sell their products at the same prices they are sold in the U.S. The fact that it is opening in Ramat Aviv is not a good sign (that is the Beverly Hills of Israel). A man can dream, can’t he?

OK well today’s opening is a big step forward, I am sure we will have a long way to go until we have an Apple store like in NYC, but I am still in a good mood today.

-Hillel

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by hilzfuld on iPhone, Mobile, Random, Software, Tech

Nokia Outdoes Itself with the E72 & E75

There is a new video that was just leaked of the not-yet-announced Nokia E72 and E75 handsets. I have two things to say about that.

  1. That would never happen with Apple’s products. I am not sure if this is a good thing on Nokia’s part or a bad thing, but Apple somehow manages to keep the leaked information about their new products to a minimum, until they are officially announced. Judging by the amount of hype surrounding Apple releases, Apple is doing something right.
  2. These phones both look pretty amazing, but nothing we have never seen before outside of Nokia. Then again, Nokia is a big enough player that when they release a new concept phone, it does not matter who has done it before, theirs is bound to be all that much better.

 You can watch the video here (watch it fast, Nokia has taken it off of Youtube 5 times, after it was posted by 5 different users. They are really not interested in people seeing this video.)

-Hillel

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by hilzfuld on iPhone, Mobile, Random, Software, Tech

Android’s Release

To shake things up a little, I thought I would write about the marketing aspect of this blog, an area that is usually more Aryeh’s thing, not mine.

I was just wondering if Google is really doing everything they can, to effectively market Android’s official release. Next Tuesday, Androidwill be introduced to the cellular world for the first time. A pretty big thing, no? I mean Google, that company that created a search engine for the Web, have now decided that they are entering the mobile industry with a revolutionary mobile operating system. You would think every tech news site would be overflowing with scoops about the Android event. 

Let’s review what we know about it. We know T-Mobile will be releasing the first Android phone, the Dream, next Tuesday, the 23rd. We know Android is supposed to be a huge deal, and present a true iPhone OS killer. Do we know why? What makes it so great? Yes, it is open source. Anything else?

Personally, I think if Google wants to really make a difference and have an impact on companies like Nokia/Symbian, Apple, and Microsoft, they are going to have to do a little more. How about some Web ads, YouTube demonstrations, or at least some impressive spy pics?
-Hillel

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by hilzfuld on iPhone, Random, Tech

Which Color is Your Color?

Choose your color, and Technmarketing.com will have it sent to you.

Na, I’m kidding (maybe if we got a few more readers and some sponsered ads). I am just curious which color does it for our readers!

I am on the fence between the silver (first on the left) and the green (in the middle).

Comment to vote!

-Hillel

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by hilzfuld on iPhone, Mobile, Random, Software, Tech

HTC Touch HD Proves There is Still Where to Go

Just as I thought cellphones have maxed out with the Samsung INNOV8, HTC goes and proves me wrong with their just announced Touch HD. The Touch HD has a (are you sitting down?) 3.8 inch, 400×800 display. It has all the standard features (did I just call a phone with GPS and a 5 megapixel camera, standard?), such as HSDPA, a 5 megapixel shooter, and GPS. However, it is that amazing touch display that sets it apart from the rest.

Anyone that knows me can confirm that they have never heard me say this before, but I am speechless. It’s phones like this that make me forget that the iPhone even exists. I truly have nothing to add, the phone simply speaks for itself. Honestly, have you ever seen such a nice phone?

-Hillel

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by hilzfuld on iPhone, Mobile, Random, Software, Tech

First Generation iPhone Sales on the Rise

In a surprising twist of events, first generation iPhone sales have been on the rise ever since the new iPhone 3G was announced. Even with its major flaws, such as the painful EDGE, awkward headphones jack, and others, which make it inferior to the new iPhone in many ways, people are buying second hand, first generation iPhones, and lots of them.

How do you explain this? Well, there can be a lot of explanations for this phenomenon. Engadget claims it is the fact that the first generation iPhone is easily cracked, which enables you to insert your non-AT&T sim card into the phone. Another contributing factor is the lack of a commitment to AT&T. I agree that both of these factors are making the original iPhone more attractive to consumers. However, with all the advantages that new iPhone offers, neither of these explanations would make ME get an old iPhone. So what is really pushing people to go out and buy the original iPhone?

To answer this question, we need to examine what made the iPhone so appealing to begin with. I have written on many occasions that even with the iPhone’s good looks and revolutionary touch interface, what really did it for me, is the fact that the iPhone simply works. With phones on the market like the N95 and N96, or the Omnia, what people loved about the iPhone is that it really worked, and well. It was easy and fun to use and actually did what it was supposed to do.

When the new iPhone was announced, people were really excited by all the enhancements, and just took it for granted that it would work as well as the first generation did. However, they soon found out that they were wrong. The new iPhone was buggy, very buggy. People complained about dropped calls and crashes, amongst many other things. This is something that was not present in the first generation.

In my opinion, people are more interested in a phone that actually works and responds fast, rather than one that has all the functions in the world, but none of them work like they should. This is what people complained about with Windows Mobile 5 and older version of Symbian as well. I am under the impression that both Windows Mobile and Symbian have improved their operating systems, but Apple, on the other hand, moved in the wrong direction.

Well, Apple recently released a new firmware update that is said to fix most of the bugs, I guess only time will tell.

-Hillel

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